Early Years Quality and Compliance Specialist

Are you passionate about early childhood education and looking for a meaningful role in a purpose-driven organisation? At Respond, we believe in creating a nurturing and inclusive environment where children can thrive, and staff can grow. Our aim is to deliver high-quality, play-based education that makes a real difference. If you’re ready to bring your skills, creativity, and care to our service then we want to hear from you! 

Respond is committed to equal employment and growing a diverse workforce. If you do not “tick every box” there are likely other valuable attributes and skills that you have, that would make you a great fit for the organisation. We welcome applications from people of all cultures, nationalities, genders and from anyone who has historically faced social exclusion. If you feel this role is for you, then please apply.

Role: Early Years Quality and Compliance Specialist

Location: Respond Early Years Service, Lisduggan, Waterford

Reporting: Early Years Service Manager

Terms: 39 hours per week (Mon-Fri)

Contract: Permanent full-time

Salary: €19.50-€22.65 per hour

(Please note that offers are typically made at the beginning to mid-range of the advertised salary, based on skills and experience)

Staff Benefits:

• Annual leave of 23 days plus additional company days
• Further education and training assistance
• Maternity Leave pay
• Sick pay
• Employee assistance programme
• Employee Purchasing Schemes
• 100% Attendance Bonus Holidays
• Adoptive Leave
• Surrogacy Leave
• Fertility Support Leave
• Early Pregnancy Loss Leave

Job Purpose:

The purpose of this role is to ensure the service consistently meets regulatory standards, delivers high-quality care and education and fosters a safe, nurturing environment for children, while supporting staff to achieve excellence in practice.

Responsibilities:

• Work closely with and mentor room leaders to empower them in leading their rooms with high-quality practice, ensuring consistency with curriculum frameworks and regulatory standards.
• Work collaboratively with the National Quality Mentors to build an Early Childhood culture that is rooted in community, collaboration, support and best practice.
• Model and mentor best practice interaction strategies with children. Identify any gaps in practice and provide focused support where required.
• Oversee the implementation of the National Quality and Curriculum Frameworks, Síolta and Aistear. Provide guidance to Room Leaders and Key Workers on planning and evaluating a curriculum that supports the learning and development of each child.
• Oversee use of the Kaymbu App. Review anecdotes, planning and portfolio development. Monitor children’s learning journeys and regularly evaluate to ensure developmentally appropriate outcomes.
• Promote and model reflective practice among educators, encouraging regular self-assessment and team reflection to improve the quality of care and learning experiences.
• Support and facilitate continuous professional development by identifying training needs, organizing learning opportunities, and mentoring staff to embed new knowledge into practice.
• Ensure the well-being of all children is central in decision making regarding service delivery.
• Work with the team to develop skills to effectively engage and collaborate with parents, to support children’s individual learning and development needs.
• Oversee Equal Start compliance through identifying appropriate training, family support and ensuring non-contact time is used to promote equal participation by children and families.
• Act up for Early Years Service manager if required
• Collaborate with the Service Manager to design and implement an annual internal audit programme that ensures high compliance with regulatory requirements and promotes continuous improvement in quality standards.
• Carry out internal audits in accordance with yearly programme in collaboration with the full team and share learnings to nurture a whole service approach to maintain high standards of practice.
• Prepare reports as required in relation to the work area under your responsibility.
• Work in partnership with the Service Manager to regularly review regulatory standards and ensure all staff are knowledgeable, confident, and supported in meeting these requirements through guidance, training, and mentoring.
• Ensure all recording related to Fire, Health and Safety are maintained correctly and up to date.
• Ensure staff are kept up to date with policies, procedures and best practice guidelines.

Person Specification & Experience:

• Professional qualification in Early Education - minimum level 7 required.
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience working in a childcare setting.
• Have a minimum of 2 years supervisory experience in a related field.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and leadership skills.
• Aptitude and empathy with children and young people.
• Good computer skills and knowledge of Microsoft office suite.
• Report writing and administration skills.
• Demonstrate a strong teamwork ethic and a capacity to work under own initiative.
• Garda Vetting will be required on an ongoing basis.